Fremont’s winter business roundup

Fremont’s business landscape continues to shift this season, with exciting new ventures opening their doors even as longtime community favorites say goodbye. The changes reflect both the neighborhood’s continued appeal and the mounting economic pressures facing Seattle’s small businesses.

Saying goodbye

BailaBar (456 N. 36th St.) is hosting its final dance on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. “FREMONT‼️… THANK FOR OVER 2 YEARS OF MEMORIES,” the bar posted on Instagram, thanking supporters for more than two years at the location. There’s no cover before 10:30 p.m., $10 after, with bottle service and VIP booths available. The team is moving on to collaborate with Rheinhaus Seattle in Capitol Hill, with a grand opening scheduled for Friday the 13th. This block of N. 36th St. will be redeveloped, though the timeline remains to be determined. (Note: Folks in the know believe that the famous dancing couple sign will live on in Fremont.)

Cycle & Coffee (4013 Leary Way NW) closed its doors on Jan. 15 after years of serving the Burke-Gilman Trail and Fremont community. The café, also known as PIM to longtime patrons, announced the closure in a heartfelt message to customers, citing Seattle’s escalating costs of doing business.

“Unfortunately and unexpectedly, today was our last day open as a business,” the team wrote, expressing hope that a new owner might continue the community they’d built.

Originally opened as PIM in 2019, the business added a drive-through that became a neighborhood fixture. The dual nature of the operation – half coffee shop, half bike shop – served cyclists with vintage bike restoration, custom builds, and bikepacking customizations. The colorful coffee mural on the building’s east side had become a landmark in an industrial stretch of the neighborhood.

Dave Page Cobbler (3509 Evanston Ave N.) closed after 56 years when owner Dave Page decided to retire. A simple handwritten note in the window read: “After 56 years, I have decided to hang up my boots and close the business. We are not taking any new work. Thank you for your understanding, and thank you Fremont.”

Page was considered the world’s leading expert on mountaineering footwear history. The former University of Washington history professor has been resoling mountain boots since 1968 and famously helped forensic anthropologists identify the manufacturer of boots found on George Mallory’s body on Mount Everest. He’s made historic mountain climbing ascents alongside Fred Beckey and other notable Cascade climbers.

The building at 3509 Evanston Ave N. recently sold to the Fremont Dock Company for $2.65 million. “The portfolio of Fremont’s largest landowner is slightly bigger thanks to the recent acquisition of this tiny-but-prominent property,” the Puget Sound Business Journal reported in October. Fremont Dock Company President Suzie Burke said she believed Page would stay, noting that the tenant and landlord met recently and “all put our cards on the table.”

However, the space will be occupied by Cobblers NW, operating under new ownership with the same employees. A sign in the window announces “New ownership with the same great employees” and “Specializing in repairs for all shoes and boots.” We’ll keep you posted on when they open. We’re fortunate to keep a cobbler in Fremont, according to this recent Seattle Times article about Seattle area cobblers.

Temporary closure

Petoskey’s Sports Bar (125 N. 36th St.) is closed following a fire that broke out early Wednesday morning, Feb. 4. “Sorry to all our fellow Petoskyites. Unfortunately a fire was set early this morning. The cause of the fire is still unknown,” the bar posted on Instagram, alongside photos showing extensive damage to the interior. “Our amazing staff will be back when we can.” The bar expects to be closed for at least a few months while repairs are completed.

New arrivals

Paran Korean Grill (3424 Fremont Ave N.) opened Jan. 16, billing itself as “a new-generation Korean restaurant serving bold grills, fresh noodles, and creative drinks in a unique ambiance.” 

Point No Point Studio (3415 Fremont Ave N., Suite B) is now open, offering handmade rings featuring salt-and-pepper, black, and uniquely colored stones set in fine metals. 

Resonate Sound Spa (600 N. 36th St., Suite 204) will host its ribbon cutting on Friday, Feb. 6, bringing vibroacoustic therapy to Fremont. The spa uses FDA-recognized low-frequency sound vibrations to help manage pain, improve mobility, reduce stress and anxiety, enhance sleep quality, and promote energy.

Coming soon

Balandra Tapas Restaurant (3801 Stone Way N., Suite A) is putting finishing touches on its space that formerly housed Robin’s (very briefly) and Art of the Table. They expect to open in any day now. The restaurant promises “small plates, premium charcuterie, and a curated wine experience,” with plans for seasonal menus and chef-driven tasting dinners. 

Moment Coffee (3401 Fremont Ave N.) is building out their space in the former Starbucks and Peet’s Coffee space, targeting a spring 2026 opening.

The Picklr Fremont (124 N. 35th St.) is converting the old Theo’s Chocolate warehouse (NOT the trolley barn) into a premium indoor pickleball facility, with doors opening soon. The location will offer unlimited play memberships that include nationwide access to The Picklr’s network of over 500 locations, free court reservations, unlimited open play and competitive play, club leagues and tournaments, plus monthly clinic and guest passes. 

Snow Peak (3524 Stone Way N.), the Japanese outdoor lifestyle brand, plans to open its first Washington store next spring in Evolution Projects’ Cornerstone building. The 2,610-square-foot retail space (with another 1,400 square feet for storage) will be the company’s third U.S. location, joining stores in Portland and Brooklyn. The company is known for minimalist, durable camping gear, apparel, and accessories. Founded in 1958 in Japan’s Niigata Prefecture, Snow Peak has evolved from a mountaineering brand into an experiential company that includes retail, restaurants, and recreation.

Whiskers Lodge (4250 Aurora Ave N.) is finishing construction on what owners say will be Seattle’s first modern, cat-exclusive boarding hotel and indoor cat playground. The business builds on the family’s 17-plus years caring for and boarding cats in Woodinville. Build-out is expected to wrap by late February, with pre-bookings starting April 6.

Moves and changes 

Eyes on Me, the Russian nail and eyelash salon, has relocated from 3501 Fremont Ave N. to 3636 Stone Way N. “We’ve moved! Same team, same quality — new cozy space. We can’t wait to see you,” the business announced on Instagram. This leaves the prominent corner of the historical Odd Fellows building vacant once again.